Daily Current Affairs 6 January 2022

 Current Affairs of today are

1) Chilika Lake

• Chilika Lake, the largest brackish water lake and wintering ground of birds in the Indian subcontinent, saw a million birds, including the uncommon Mongolian gull, visiting the waterbody this year.
• As per the Water Bird Status Survey ­2022 conducted in the Chilika, 10,74,173 waterbirds (107 species) and 37,953 individuals (76 wetland-dependent species) were counted in the entire lagoon. Last year, the count in the Chilika was over 12 lakh. Members who were part of the census also reported sighting the Mongolian Gull. 
• The census was undertaken jointly by the Odisha State Wildlife Organisation, the Chilika Development
• Authority (CDA) and the Bombay Natural History Society. A total of 106 personnel, including bird experts from government and non­government organizations, were deployed. The lagoon was divided strategically into 21 segments for the census. 
• A total of 3,58,889 birds (97 species) were counted in Nalabana Bird Sanctuary — a decrease of 65,899 from the previous year. 
• The decrease is attributed to high water levels and the presence of water in cultivated fields in adjoining areas. Waterbirds love to flock to large mudflats. 
• Among the three pintail species of ducks, the northern pintail (1,72,285), gadwall (1,53,985), Eurasian wigeon (1,50,843) accounted for over one lakh in this year’s count. However, the population of gadwall and Eurasian wigeon was less than that of the previous year. 
• There was a marginal decrease in the number of species such as the northern shoveler, tufted duck, and red-crested pochard. An increase in the population of the northern pintail, common coot, and common pochard was noticed.
• The increase in numbers for the greater flamingo at Nalabana mudflat indicates that the restoration at Nalabana is effective. This year’s greater flamingo count was the highest in the last decade. It is largely due to the appropriate management of mudflats. Overall, the local resident species such as purple swamp­hen, purple heron, Indian moorhen, and jacanas were found in higher numbers
• Chilika Lake hosts birds migrating from thousands of miles away from the Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, Aral Sea, remote parts of Russia, Mongolia, Central and Southeast Asia, Ladakh, and the Himalayas. The winged guests find the vast mud­field and abundant fish stock suitable to congregate.

Source: The Hindu

2) Sweet Revolution

• To harness the export potential of honey in line with the vision of a ‘Sweet Revolution’ through the promotion of beekeeping and allied activities, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has been giving thrust on boosting exports through ensuring quality production and market expansion to newer countries.
• At present, India’s natural honey exports are majorly dependent on one market - the United States, which accounts for more than 80 percent of the exports.
• APEDA has been facilitating honey producers in accessing export markets besides availing government assistance under different schemes, quality certification, and lab testing.
• APEDA is working with the exporters to deal with the challenges such as higher freight cost, limited availability of containers in peak honey export season, higher Nuclear Magnetic Resonance test costs, and inadequate export incentives.
• India exported 59,999 metric tonnes (MT) of natural honey worth Rs. 716 crore (the US $ 96.77 million) during 2020-21, with the United States taking a major share at 44,881 MT. Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh, and Canada were the other top destinations for Indian honey. India started its first organized exports in the year 1996-97.
• World honey exported in 2020 is 736,266.02 MT. India ranks 8th and 9th in the world in honey producing and exporting countries respectively.
• The world honey production in 2019 was 1721 thousand metric tonnes. This includes honey from all nectar sources, agricultural plants, wildflowers, and forest trees. China, Turkey, Canada, Argentina, Iran, and the USA are among the major honey-producing countries, accounting for 50% of total world production.
• North East Region and Maharashtra are the key areas for natural honey production in the country. Around 50% of the honey produced in India is consumed domestically and the rest is exported across the globe. Honey exports have huge potential and especially in the COVID19 pandemic as its consumption has gone up globally as an effective immunity booster and a healthier alternative to sugar.
• The Government of India approved the allocation of Rs 500 crore for the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) for three years (2020-21 to 2022-23). The mission was announced as part of the AtmaNirbhar Bharat initiative in February 2021.
• NBHM aims for the overall promotion & development of scientific beekeeping in the country to achieve the goal of ‘Sweet Revolution’ which is being implemented through the National Bee Board (NBB). There is a budget of Rs.170 crore for the Mini mission. The purpose is for developing beekeeping in the country, developing honey clusters, improving the quality and productivity of honey, and also increasing exports.

Source: PIB

3) Smart cities and Academia Towards Action & Research (SAAR)

• The Smart Cities Mission, MoHUA has launched the “Smart cities and Academia Towards Action & Research (SAAR)” program, a joint initiative of MoHUA, National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), and leading Indian academic institutions of the country. Under the program, 15 premier architecture & planning institutes of the country will be working with Smart Cities to document landmark projects undertaken by the Smart Cities Mission. The documents will capture the learnings from best practices, provide opportunities for engagement on urban development projects to students, and enable real-time information flow between urban practitioners and academia.
• The Smart Cities Mission’s urban projects are lighthouse projects to other aspiring cities. Since the start of the Mission in 2015, the 100 Smart Cities have been developing a total of 5,151 projects with an investment of Rs. 2,05,018 crore. The first activity envisaged under SAAR is to prepare a compendium of 75 landmark urban projects in India under the Smart City Mission. These 75 urban projects are innovative, multi-sectoral, and have been implemented across geographies. The program marks the 75th anniversary of India’s independence, with the idea to showcase the country’s best practices and on-ground achievements.
• The compendium will act as the first point of reference for future research in the field, help disseminate learnings from projects under the Mission, act as a repository for Urban Projects, and contribute to the dissemination of best practices and peer-to-peer learning. The 75 projects covered in the compendium are distributed across 47 Smart Cities. The partner institutes documenting the projects include inter alia Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, Center for Environment Planning and Technology, Ahmedabad, Jamia Milia Islamia, Delhi, and School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal.

SAAR Process Flow:

• MoHUA and NIUA will facilitate linkages between the Institutions and Smart Cities for specific landmark projects that are to be documented under the program. The Institutes will document the outcomes of these projects, on how they are impacting the lives of urban citizens. Team of students, mentors from these premier institutions will be visiting these 47 smart cities to understand/document these projects in January/February 2022.
• The workflow of the compendium being prepared by SAAR will include field Investigation, data analysis & documentation, national research methodology workshop for the participating students, peer review of the first draft, final submission by research students to their respective institutions, institutional submission of research to NIUA, and leading to the launch of compendium of 75 urban projects by June 2022.

Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav

• Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of progressive India and the glorious history of its people, culture, and achievements. This Mahotsav is dedicated to the people of India who have not only been instrumental in bringing India thus far in its evolutionary journey but also hold within them the power and potential to enable Prime Minister Modi’s vision of activating India 2.0, fuelled by the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav is an embodiment of all that is progressive about India’s socio-cultural, political, and economic identity. The official journey of “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav” commenced on 12th March 2021 which starts a 75-week countdown to our 75th anniversary of Independence and will end post a year on 15th August 2022.

Source: PIB

4) National Science Day (NSD) 2022

• Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launches theme of National Science Day (NSD) 2022: Integrated Approach in S&T for Sustainable Future
• NSD Theme has been chosen to raise public appreciation of the scientific issues involved and added that celebrations of important scientific days should not remain a one-day event and there is a need to build upon this regularly.
• Integration of Science is based on four pillars and these are:-
• Coming together of all science Ministries and Departments to work on a theme-based approach of problem-solving, 
• Extended Science Integration aligned with technical, engineering, and medical institutes, 
• Extra Science Integration that is aligned with Line Ministries/Departments of Central Government and finally 
• Extended Science-Driven Approach involving industries and start-ups leading to a sustainable future.
• National Science Day (NSD) is celebrated every year on 28 February to commemorate the discovery of the ‘Raman Effect. The government of India designated 28 February as National Science Day (NSD) in 1986. On this day Sir C.V. Raman announced the discovery of the 'Raman Effect' for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1930. On this occasion, theme-based science communication activities are carried out all over the country.
• Many institutions organize the open house for their laboratories and appraise students about career opportunities available in a particular research laboratory/institution.
• Department of Science and Technology (DST) acts as a nodal agency to support, catalyze and coordinate the celebration of the National Science Day throughout the country in scientific institutions, research laboratories, and autonomous scientific institutions associated with the Department of Science and Technology. National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC), DST has supported various programs countrywide by giving grants to its State S&T Councils & Departments for the organization of lectures, quizzes, open houses, etc.
• The DST instituted the National Awards for Science Popularization in 1987 to stimulate, encourage and recognize outstanding efforts in the area of science and technology communication and popularization as well as inculcate scientific temper among masses. These awards are presented every year on National Science Day along with the SERB Women Excellence Award by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a statutory body of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) supporting basic research in frontier areas of science and engineering. It provides grants to women scientists below 40 years of age who have received recognition from any one or more of the National Academies such as the Young Scientist Medal, Young Associateship, and so on. AWSAR award, an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India to recognize the dissemination of Indian research in Science, Technology & Innovation being pursued by Ph.D. Scholars and Post-Doctoral Fellows in popular science writing format are also presented on the day.

Source: PIB

5) One District One Product (ODOP)

• Union Minister for Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Shri Pashupati Kumar Paras and Minister of State, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel, and senior officials of NAFED launched six, One District One Product (ODOP) brands under the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro food processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme at Panchsheel Bhawan, New Delhi.
• The Ministry of Food Processing Industries has signed an agreement with NAFED for developing 10 brands of selected ODOPs under the branding and marketing component of the PMFME scheme. Out of these, six brands namely Amrit Phal, Cori Gold, Kashmiri Mantra, Madhu Mantra, Somdana, and Whole Wheat Cookies of Dilli Bakes were launched.
• Through this initiative under the PMFME scheme, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries aims to encourage the micro food processing enterprises (MFPEs) across the country about the vision, efforts, and initiatives of the Government to formalize, upgrade and strengthen them and take them a step closer to Aatmanirbhar Bharat. MFPs are encouraged to come forth and avail branding support under this initiative including the use of marketing rights of these brands from NAFED.
• All the products will be available at NAFED Bazaars, E-commerce platforms, and prominent retail stores across India.

About the PMFME Scheme:

• Launched under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro food processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme is a centrally sponsored scheme that aims to enhance the competitiveness of existing individual micro-enterprises in the unorganized segment of the food processing industry and to promote formalization of the sector and provide support to Farmer Producer Organizations, Self Help Groups, and Producers Cooperatives along their entire value chain. With an outlay of Rs. 10,000 crore over five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25, the scheme envisions to directly assist the 2,00,000 micro food processing units for providing financial, technical, and business support for up-gradation of existing micro food processing enterprises.

Source: PIB

6) GST compensation

• Finance Ministers of several States have demanded that the GST compensation scheme be extended beyond June 2022.
• The adoption of GST was made possible by States ceding almost all their powers to impose local-level indirect taxes and agreeing to let the prevailing multiplicity of imposts be subsumed into the GST.
• This was agreed on the condition that revenue shortfalls arising from the transition to the new indirect taxes regime would be made good from a pooled GST Compensation Fund for five years that is set to end in June 2022.

Need for extension:

• Citing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the overall economy and more specifically States’ revenues, the States including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh stressed that while their revenues had been adversely impacted by the introduction of GST, the hit from the pandemic had pushed back any possible rebound in revenue especially at a time when they had been forced to spend substantially more to address the public health emergency and its socio-economic fallout on their residents.

What is the GST compensation?

• The Constitution (One Hundred and First Amendment) Act, 2016, was the law that created the mechanism for levying a common nationwide Goods and Services Tax (GST).
• While States would receive the SGST (State GST) component of the GST, and a share of the IGST (integrated GST), it was agreed that revenue shortfalls arising from the transition to the new indirect taxes regime would be made good from a pooled GST Compensation Fund for five years that is currently set to end in June 2022.

Source: The Hindu

7) The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)

• Permanent UN Security Council members China, France, Russia, the U.K., and the U.S. have pledged to prevent atomic weapons from spreading and to avoid nuclear conflict.
• The statement was issued after the latest review of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) was postponed from its scheduled date of January 4 to later in the year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Tensions between Russia and the United States have reached heights rarely seen since the Cold War over a troop build-up by Moscow close to the Ukrainian border.
• That has raised fears that the Kremlin is planning a new attack on its pro-Western neighbor.
• The rise of China meanwhile has also raised concerns that tensions with Washington could lead to conflict, notably over the island of Taiwan.
• Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory and has vowed to one day seize it, by force if necessary.

What is NPT?

• The NPT is a multilateral treaty aimed at limiting the spread of nuclear weapons including three elements: (1) non-proliferation, (2) disarmament, and (3) peaceful use of nuclear energy. These elements constitute a “grand bargain” between the five nuclear-weapon states and the non-nuclear-weapon states.
• The treaty was signed in 1968 and entered into force in 1970.
• States without nuclear weapons will not acquire them.
• States with nuclear weapons will pursue disarmament.
• All states can access nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, under safeguards.
• The Treaty defines nuclear weapon states (NWS) as those that had manufactured and detonated a nuclear explosive device before 1 January 1967. All the other states are therefore considered non-nuclear-weapon states (NNWS).
• The five nuclear-weapon states are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
• The Treaty does not affect the right of state parties to develop, produce, and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
• Nuclear weapon states are not to transfer to any recipient whatsoever nuclear weapons and not to assist, encourage, or induce any NNWS to manufacture or otherwise acquire them.
• Non-nuclear weapons states are not to receive nuclear weapons from any transferor and are not to manufacture or acquire them.
• NNWS must accept the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards on all nuclear materials on their territories or under their control.
• Failure of Disarmament Process: The NPT is largely seen as a Cold War-era instrument that has failed to fulfill the objective of creating a pathway towards a credible disarmament process.
• System of Nuclear ‘Haves’ and ‘Have-Nots’: NNWS criticizes the treaty to be discriminatory as it focuses on preventing only horizontal proliferation while there is no limit for vertical proliferation.
• NWWS also feels that the restrictions on Peaceful Nuclear Explosion (PNE) technology are one-sided.

India’s Stand on NPT:

• India is one of the only five countries that either did not sign the NPT or signed but withdrew, thus becoming part of a list that includes Pakistan, Israel, North Korea, and South Sudan.
• India always considered the NPT as discriminatory and had refused to sign it.
• India has opposed the international treaties aimed at non-proliferation since they were selectively applicable to the non-nuclear powers and legitimized the monopoly of the five nuclear weapons powers.

Source: The Hindu

8) Russia vs NATO in Ukraine

• Russia has stationed more than 1,00,000 troops at its border with aspiring NATO member Ukraine.
• Russia stated that only if NATO withdraws its forces from all countries in Europe that joined the alliance after May 1997, would it de-escalate the military build-up.
• This would effectively mean that NATO cannot operate in any of the Baltic nations that border Russia (Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania), central European states such as Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, and Balkan states such as Croatia and Slovenia.
• Russia also wants NATO to drop plans of any further ‘enlargement’, which means committing to not accepting Ukraine and Georgia as members. Another demand is that NATO must not hold drills in eastern Europe, Ukraine, and Georgia without prior approval from Russia.
• The U.S and NATO officials have bluntly stated that Russia’s proposals are unrealistic. They insist that Ukraine and every other country have the right to determine its own foreign policy.
• Citing the principle of sovereignty, they insist that Ukraine, and every other country in eastern Europe, has the right to determine its foreign policy without outside interference and join whichever alliance it wants.
• They have also dismissed the idea of Russia wielding veto power over who gets to become a member of NATO, and pointed out that NATO would not take decisions affecting eastern Europe without involving the countries concerned.

About North Atlantic Treaty Organization:

• It is an intergovernmental military alliance.
• Established by the Washington treaty.
• Treaty that was signed on 4 April 1949.
• Headquarters — Brussels, Belgium.
• Headquarters of Allied Command Operations — Mons, Belgium.
• Since its founding, the admission of new member states has increased the alliance from the original 12 countries to 30. The most recent member state to be added to NATO was North Macedonia on 27 March 2020.
• NATO membership is open to “any other European state in a position to further the principles of this Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area.”

Source: The Hindu